Chinese curators say the decision allowed ‘political elements to intrude into realm of art’

China has pulled out from one of Asia’s biggest contemporary art festivals after a row over the words “Taiwan pavilion” escalated into a diplomatic dispute between Beijing and South Korea.
The Gwangju Biennale, founded in 1995 and held every two years in Gwangju, in southwestern South Korea, is Asia’s longest-running contemporary art biennale. Its 16th edition will run from 5 September to 15 November across venues in the city, with 43 participating artists.
The Chinese exhibition team announced on Thursday that it had unanimously decided to withdraw from the Gwangju Biennale, two days before the festival opens to the public in the South Korean city.

Tldr 330k for flying a drone around decommissioned nuclear plant.

I will have to face 4 months of conscription soon, but an issue I have is my reading and writing skills of Chinese are near 0, unless I have a digital aid, its how I get through life here in Taiwan.

I have good enough listening and speaking skills. And proficient and fluent in English.

So whats going to happen? Get scolded by 士官長 until I dont recognize up from down? Or would there be special routes for people like this. Foreign national converted to Taiwanese National.

Has anyone ben using this card as an expat? If yes what do you use it for?

Have you guys seen the singer from Japan performing in ximending?

She's really amazing! I go there every weekend to listen to her. I'm here in Taiwan until 30th September and it's really amazing to see her perform.

EDIT: Her Instagram: moriko521_official

Anyone struggling to find a good barber in Taiwan?

Maybe it’s just me, but finding a barber I actually like here has been a struggle.

I’ve tried a few of the barbershops I see recommended online, but it feels different every time. I’ll show a picture of what I want, and the haircut still comes out pretty different.

I’m not sure if it’s the language barrier, the way certain styles are cut here, or if I’m just not explaining myself properly.

I’m mainly talking about things like fades, tapers, and more modern styles.
Anyone else have this problem? Or have you guys found a barber you actually stick with?

I'm an international mechanical engineering graduate heading into a research masters application cycle, focused specifically on microrobotics and MEMS. Over the past few months I've had positive responses and interviews from professors in Taiwan, Japan, the Netherlands, and the UK. All of these, except the NTHU one, are MEMS-focused labs. The NTHU professor is the only one with an explicit track record in microrobotics specifically, which is my actual focus.

I'm currently heading into a research internship in Taiwan, which has opened doors to two specific offers I'm now weighing. At NTHU, that power mechanical engineering professor has told me he'll check my profile seriously and wants to meet in person once I'm there. Separately, I've heard interest from an NTU professor as well, who's said he'd expect a lab visit and has even floated a PhD position under him afterward.

My dilemma is this. Everything I read says NTU is the more internationally-oriented university, with more alumni going on to the US, Europe, and beyond, while NTHU is excellent but tends to funnel students into local industry, especially the Hsinchu semiconductor cluster. I have zero interest in a semiconductor career unless it pays exceptionally well, and my long-term goal is to end up in a top-tier microrobotics research environment, eventually aiming at places like MIT, EPFL, ETH Zurich, or Max Planck.

The catch is that the NTHU professor's actual research fits my interests far better than anyone I've found at NTU so far. I haven't identified any NTU professor doing comparable microrobotics work. So I'm stuck between chasing the better-fit advisor at a university with a more locally-oriented pipeline, versus a university with a stronger international reputation but no clear research match yet.

Has anyone here navigated a similar tradeoff, a near-perfect subfield match versus other strong offers with better general pipelines. Would love to hear from anyone in Taiwan's MEMS or robotics research world.

Note: I am not opting to other country offers beacuse of course misalignment or just too heavy cost bearing whereas NTHU prof mentioned I have a high chance of scholarship and NTU too both suggested to opt for phd because they can provide me more monthly stipends was their response. (Plz be staright forward this has been my 6months of connect, linkedin preimum free usage and do keep the responses friendly for a fellow student/researcher coming to taiwan).

Thank you for any insights.

I was thinking of pursuing my masters in Taiwan in Electronics. I want to try for NTU, along with scholarship (im aware of the fact that it isn't easy). I've a few questions.

1) is it worth leaving my country (India) for this?

2) how's the job sector in TW after masters?

Hi everyone, I'm an international student looking for opportunities to study EE Master's in Taiwan and I would like to ask some questions. I have done my research and here are my shortlist of programs I would like to apply to:

• NCKU - International Degree Programs on Energy in Engineering
• NTUST- Department of Electrical Engineering
• NSYSU - International Master's Program in Electric Power Engineering
• NTUT - International Graduate Program in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS)
• NYCU - EECS International Graduate Program

I graduated bachelor in Electrical Engineering and Renewable Energy with GPA 3.5/4, fluent in English and learning Mandarin. I would like to ask:

• What are my chances of admitted into each university.
• What are the best university for my respective studies
• How hard is it for international students to get a good engineering job after graduating?

Any other advices or insight is appreciated. Thank you and have a good weekend.

Is there anyone currently taking or have graduated from the Master's in NTHU CS or ISA dept that is willing to be asked some questions regarding the program? Thank you in advance!

I’ve been getting more into Western comics lately, especially DC/Marvel, and I really want to start checking out some of the comic/ACG conventions around Taiwan, Taichung especially.

I know there are quite a few in Taipei, and I’m definitely willing to travel there for them, but I’m a little nervous about going alone since I don’t have any friends who are interested in this stuff and I’m not super familiar with the convention scene here yet. Are these events generally foreigner-friendly? I can speak English pretty well, but my Chinese is still pretty limited, so I’m not sure how difficult it would be to navigate everything by myself. By the way, if anyone knows a good place to keep track of upcoming events, especially ones with comics, cosplay, artists, collectibles, etc., I’d love some recommendations.

Also, if anyone else is into this stuff and wants to go to a convention together sometime, feel free to hit me up! I’m down to travel for bigger events too, I’m open to pretty much into anything nerdy.

Any recommendations for events or places to find people who are into this would be greatly appreciated too!

I'd like to share this photo I took on Green Island this summer.

I recently visited Sun Moon Lake and it was a very good place with great views all around the lake. I would suggest cycling around the lake as there are mind blowing views all along the way. This is a picture I took while cycling.

Please recommend any similar pretty places in Taiwan to explore. And I look for a travel buddy to explore Taiwan✌️

I recently created this list for show-seekers. Please feel free to let me know of any omissions or changes.

~TAIWAN LIVE MUSIC VENUES~

TAIPEI
**Clapper Studio**
5F, No. 99, Sec. 1, Bade Rd., Zhongzheng District (Huashan 1914 Creative Park)

**Cohesion Space**
B1, No. 7, Ln. 106, Sec. 4, Bade Rd., Songshan District 

**Continue Music**
B1, No. 14, Ln. 77, Sec. 2, Zhongshan N. Rd., Zhongshan District

**FatTone Music**
No 71 B1, Aiguo E Rd, Daan District, Taipei, Taiwan, 10642

**Hana Live House**
No. 39, Sec. 1, Bade Rd., Zhongzheng District (Huashan 1914 Creative Park) 

**Jack’s Studio (Jack Music)**
2F, No. 76, Kunming St., Wanhua District

**Legacy Taipei**
Huashan 1914 Creative Park, No. 1, Sec. 1, Bade Rd., Zhongzheng District

**Moondog** (formerly Breeze Mega Studio)
Taipei City, Songshan District, Fuhsing S Rd, section 1, No 39, 9F

**PIPE Live Music**
No. 1, Siyuan St., Zhongzheng District

**Revolver**
No. 1-2, Sec. 1, Roosevelt Rd., Zhongzheng District

**Riverside Live House** (河岸留言 西門紅樓展演館)
No. 177, Xining S. Rd., Wanhua District 

**Stardust Bar**
No. 3, Aly. 3, Ln. 82, Sec. 2, Wuchang St., Wanhua District, Taipei

**SUB Live House**
B1, No. 10, Aly. 25, Ln. 120, Sec. 2, Roosevelt Rd., Zhongzheng District 

**The Wall Live House**
B1, No. 200, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Rd., Wenshan District 

**Wild lab**

100, Taipei City, Zhongzheng District, Wenxiang Village, Hangzhou S Road, Section 1, #147, b1

**Zepp New Taipei**
8F, No. 3, Sec. 4, New Taipei Blvd., Xinzhuang District, New Taipei City

—
KAOHSIUNG

**Live Warehouse**
No. 2-5, Dayi St., Yancheng Dist., Kaohsiung City

**Paramount**
No. 70, Minzu 1st Rd., Sanmin Dist., Kaohsiung City

—
TAICHUNG

**The Pillars**
3F, No. 13, Duxing Rd., Central Dist., Taichung City

**Sound Live House**
No. 108, Zhongshan Rd., Central Dist., Taichung City

—
TAINAN

**Signal**
B1, No. 122, Kangle St., West Central Dist., Tainan City

**TCRC**
No. 117, Xinmei St., West Central Dist., Tainan City

Hi all,
I’m trying to figure out my timeline for studying in Taiwan and could use some advice from people who’ve been through the process.
I’m currently applying to NTU’s Chinese Language Division (CLD) for the Winter Term 2026 intake (starts Nov 30), but my actual goal is university-level study (bachelor’s/master’s, leaning toward CS or business). My question is about timing:
• Is it realistic to still apply and get accepted into a degree program for this academic year, or are most intake windows already closed at this point?
• If it’s too late for a direct university enrollment this cycle, does it make more sense to do a term or two at a language center (like NTU CLD, NTNU MTC, or NCCU) while I wait for the next university application cycle, and then transition into a degree program from there?
• For anyone who went the “language center first” route — did it actually help with your university application later (placement test scores, connections, familiarity with the system), or was it just a way to pass time?
Some context: I’m self-funding the first couple of terms, and I’m also looking at scholarship options (like HES) for later on. Any insight on realistic timelines, or things you wish you’d known before starting the process, would be hugely appreciated.
Thanks!

Im planning to study abroad Taiwan. And in kinda lost. What documents do people usually prepare? And how do y'all choose which university to go for? Theres like... 50+ options if universities for you to choose! I went to their taiwan education expo once and my god thats a lot of universities.

And is it true theres a lot of natural disasters there? (My mom worries about this since theres news about common occasions of natural disasters in Taiwan)

By the way, how long did it took y'all to adapt to the language? Just curious since if I wanna go there might aswell just ask right now :D

Hello! I’m travelling to Taiwan in November and will mainly be spending time in Taipei, Taichung, and Tianzhong. I’ll be there for around 10 days, and this definitely isn’t my first trip to Taiwan.

Because I’ve already done quite a few of the usual tourist attractions on previous trips, I’m hoping to explore a different side of Taiwan this time. I’d especially love recommendations for places that are quiet, local, or just not usually mentioned in tourist itineraries.

I’m open to pretty much anything — for example:
• Small towns or villages worth wandering around
• Quiet neighbourhoods with interesting streets/architecture
• Small museums, cultural or historical sites
• Cafes (with good coffees!), bookstores, teahouses, etc. that have a nice atmosphere
• Nature spots, riversides, walking trails or scenic areas
• Local food spots that aren’t necessarily famous with tourists
• Interesting places that are a little out of the way but worth the journey
• Day trips from Taichung or Changhua
• Small towns around that I might otherwise overlook

I’m particularly interested in Changhua/Tianzhong and the surrounding smaller towns, since I feel like there’s probably a lot to explore there beyond the more well-known attractions.

I don’t necessarily need somewhere completely undiscovered — just looking for places where I can slow down, wander around, eat something good, have a coffee, people-watch, and experience a more everyday/local side of Taiwan.

If you’re from the area or have spent a lot of time there, I’d especially love to hear where you personally like to go, rather than just the standard places that come up on Google.

Appreciate any recommendations! (-:

I’ve traveled pretty much all over Taiwan, from the obvious tourist spots to places most people never bother visiting, including some that are genuinely difficult to get to.

Hit me up if you’re looking for recommendations, lesser-known places, road trip ideas, or somewhere worth visiting that isn’t on every tourist list. Happy to recommend places based on what you’re into.

AMA.

This is a picture I took of the sunset on the Anping Beach in Tainan. Looks soo pretty.

(Sound on!)

4K YT version here

45 y/o, born in TW, moved to the US as a toddler. Like most TW diaspora, I had not traveled the eastern coast as much (if at all; can't recall!). I had some time between jobs this summer and decided to take a last minute trip to TW, rented a car, and drove down and up the east coast. It was a literal last minute trip; saw the tickets on a Friday, plane takes off on Monday, and landed in TW the next Wednesday 🤣. I figured that if I didn't do this trip now, I may not be able to do it again until I'm 60+!

(Special shoutout to my wife who couldn't come but said that I shouldn't not go just because she couldn't go)

This is my first time traveling the east coast and I covered as much as reasonably possible (given the weather situation over the first week and the threat of Saudel). I could have easily used up another week and gave up on many, many hikes and exploration that I wanted to do along the east coast.

This is a short video of some of the highlights (working on cutting a longer one).

Lots of great hikes, amazing coastlines, and just breathtaking views!

AMA if you are interested in doing a similar trip; happy to share my tips, learnings, and answer any questions for folks that have wanted to do this but have doubts about how to pull it off, where to go, what to see!

Quick takes

The drive: ~6 hours straight shot from Nangang on the east side of Taipei to Taitung. We stopped for lunch and along a few spots along the way so all-in-all maybe almost 8h transit time by car, but worth it to be able to pop out along the random viewpoints along the coast. The drive is just spectacular with the clouds hanging over the ever-present mountains along the entire route. Every morning I was still in awe of the view of the cloud capped mountains.

Taroko: almost all trails are possibly permanently closed (according to one lady at the welcome center). As far as I could see, there was no work being done on the trails; all work was focused on the roadway and adding cover for some key sections. The railing hasn't even been fully replaced. The drive was still spectacular, but you should get in as early as possible (6:30) since entry and exit are timed via checkpoints. This is one of the scariest drives I've ever done; even scarier than Pike's Peak because the loose rocks and damaged infrastructure remind you that fate is not in your own hands here.

Here is the timetable for the Taroko checkpoints: https://imgur.com/a/YnhTuTt. How to read it: 6:30 - 8:00 is when you can actively drive into or out of the park. It's only one lane each way (some parts only one lane total) and there's a LOT of construction. So they fully close the roads for a few hours at a time each day. I drove in around 7 AM and then around 9:50 AM, I had to wait in an exit line or else I'd miss the 10:00 - 10:05 exit window and be stuck until 12. 3 hours inside the park seems about right to me. There is a longer hike right behind the visitor center that is accessible outside of the checkpoint.

Taitung: A nice little city; worth the drive down. Beautiful beaches and coastline along the way.

Hualien: A better "base" since 1-2 hours drive each day in either direction can take you to a lot of interesting sights. Two routes to explore: coast and valley, both with interesting sights to visit!

Jiaoxi: just north of Yilan, another good base for the north eastern coast. The geography of the coast along the northeast is totally different from the south east coast and worth the visit! Jiaoxi is very close to Taipei and has plenty of hot springs hotels. Makes access to the northeast coast points much more convenient.

Surfing: my daughter is interested in surfing so I did some scouting and asked around about the seasons for both surfing and diving. May - September are the peak seasons. The winter and spring months see bigger waves. Diving completely shuts down (sample of 2 shops); surfing shops are still open, but generally cater to intermediate and advanced surfers in these months. Both said the water is cold and requires a wet suit in the late fall/winter/early spring if you find yourself here.

Dive shops recommended Xiaoliuqiu instead for late spring.

Humidity: unlike anything I've experienced in a long time 😅. Haven't been in Taiwan in the summer since my teens; totally forgot how humid summer is. Literally every day was just soaked in sweat from hiking. Walk 100ft: shirt is wet. Sit down and eat: shirt is soaked. (Not sure how folks are eating noodle soups in 32c!) Gave up caring about it and just lived with being soaked. Bring a reusable water bottle (to cut down on plastic waste) and stay hydrated! Don't go hiking without bringing sufficient water with you; definitely had moments of regret bringing only one bottle of water!

Reminds me of...: Azores! I've visited both Terceira and Sao Miguel in the Azores and wow, it's uncanny how similar these two are. But I have to say: I prefer the way the Portuguese have their beaches set up: fresh water rinse stations at every beach, public restrooms for changing, natural pools, and lots of man-made jump points even in rocky beaches.

Tracking weather: I was in utter disbelief at some of the rain estimates for some days where it was several inches of rain. I found that most western forecasters mostly had it wrong (except for 2 days when it was literally buckets). Windy.com and Zoom Earth were the best resources and I found Windy GFS representative of my observed weather conditions for the day even as far as 3 days out.

Shoes: I regret, regret not bringing my Crocs because there's just no way to get around in the rain without getting your feet absolutely soaked and having a bad time. For summer rainy season: bring Crocs or hiking sandals and accept that your feet will get wet AF if it rains.

Just saw this on YouTube, that's true?

During my several visits I often took it and it worked just fine. But again, it was only during short stays, do people living in Taipei often experience disturbances on this line?